Google’s new AIY kit opens up the world of AI for complete novices

Google has released two new AIY kits that allow even complete novices to get hands-on with artificial intelligence.

Two of the biggest fields in commercial AI are computer vision, and voice assistants, and the two kits fall into these two categories. 

Both are small self-assembly cardboard boxes with all the components for the user to put together their kit. The components vary based on which kit you’ve got. Vision contains (among other essentials) a Raspberry Pi, SD card and camera, while Voice contains the Pi and SD card, plus a speaker and microphone array. 

AI make therefore I am

Once put together, Vision becomes a rudimentary computer vision device, able to correctly identify objects that are placed in front of it, and Voice becomes a rudimentary smart speaker. 

Targeted at teens who are interested in learning more about the emerging field of STEAM disciplines, the kits look like a brilliant way for anyone who wants to learn more about the AI devices that are becoming an everyday part of our lives work. 

You never know, with the shortage of STEAM skills out there at the moment, this little cardboard box could be the first step on a journey towards a new career. 

At the moment the kits are only available in the US at Target at $90 (about £60, AU$115) for the Vision Kit, and £50 (about £30 , AU$60) for the Voice Kit (which is a fantastic price for a Google Assistant smart speaker). They will be rolling out globally soon; we’ll let you know when and where they become available.

Via Engadget

TOPICS
Andrew London

Andrew London is a writer at Velocity Partners. Prior to Velocity Partners, he was a staff writer at Future plc.

Latest in Tech
A Lego Pikachu tail next to a Pebble OS watch and a screenshot of Assassin's Creed Shadow
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from LG's excellent new OLED TV to our Assassin's Creed Shadow review
A triptych image of the Meridian Ellipse, LG C5 and Xiaomi 15.
5 amazing tech reviews of the week: LG's latest OLED TV is the best you can buy and Xiaomi's seriously powerful new phone
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones in Black and Gold on yellow background with big savings text
The best Beats headphones you can buy drop to $169.99 at Best Buy's Tech Fest sale
Ray-Ban smart glasses with the Cpperni logo, an LED array, and a MacBook Air with M4 next to ecah other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Twitter's massive outage to iRobot's impressive new Roombas
A triptych image featuring the Sennheiser HD 505, Apple iPad Air 11-inch (2025), and Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4).
5 unmissable tech reviews of the week: why the MacBook Air (M4) should be your next laptop and the best sounding OLED TV ever
Apple iPhone 16e
Which affordable phone wins the mid-range race: the iPhone 16e, Nothing 3a, or Samsung Galaxy A56? Our latest podcast tells all
Latest in News
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Samsung's rumored smart specs may be launching before the end of 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #1155)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #386)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 24 (game #652)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)